On Being Voted Off “American Idol”:
“I was a little shocked too just from never being in the bottom three, but stuff happens and you got to roll with. You gotta keep on fighting.”

On Why Did He Get Voted Off:
“You know, I think it’s just because I took such a strong stance on my faith, and I think choosing a Lady Gaga song confused some of my audience. Nothing against her or the song because it’s a phenomenal song, she’s done great with it, but I just think the message behind it confused some people and I think I just got caught up in the performance of it.”

He continued, “Also, I’m sure you remember, after seeing myself come off the stage after ‘September’ I hated the way that I looked on camera and was portrayed, and thought ‘Man, TV editing is something huh?’ I think that, that was another contributing factor, and that’s one of the reasons I apologized on stage that night.”

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Why Did He Apologize:
“I felt like I needed to, because I felt like…here I am trying to be someone that people can look up to and to start a movement, and I acted out of character. I felt like I had let some people down by doing that, so I definitely needed to make it right. While I still could on the show.”

On What The Judges Said After the show:
“I was so encouraged by what they had to say. They’re all very supportive and they’re all fans of everyone on the show. Randy pulled me aside he said ‘Yo Dawg, anything you do let me know and I’ll make sure it happens for you. You got a huge career ahead of you.’ He pulled me aside several times and said that. So I’m very, very encouraged by what all three of them had to say. I think Jennifer and I had four or five different hugs before I left, which was a nice parting gift I’m not gonna lie. I left very encouraged, and ready to start writing and to put out a record.”